Injured Broad signs for IPL

England’s management may yet have something to say after injured bowler Stuart Broad signs for Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League

Broad tore his abdomen during the Ashes and may yet miss the World Cup (Marc Aspland)

Stuart Broad is facing a potential conflict with the England management after he was signed by Kings XI Punjab yesterday in a $400,000 deal to play in this year’s Indian Premier League. James Anderson, England’s bowling hero in the Ashes, went unsold in the IPL auction in Bangaluru, as did Graeme Swann, Matt Prior and Luke Wright.

Kevin Pietersen was bought by Deccan Chargers for $600,000 and Eoin Morgan went to Kolkata Knight Riders for $350,000.

Broad’s signing is controversial because he tore his abdomen in the second Ashes Test, an injury that jeopardises his participation in next month’s World Cup.

Andy Flower, the England coach, expressed his disquiet at the possibly “dangerous” effects of his leading bowlers playing in the IPL. Flower is aiming to drive England on from the Ashes by winning the World Cup and reaching No 1 in the Test rankings for the first time.